The History of Aster Ginza

The story of the history of the Ginza Aster brand is a very interesting one. Established in 1926, its first product was an American style of Chinese food – Chop Suey, and It’s initial store in Ginza proved very popular soon after opening. Although interrupted by the War and the recovery of Japan post World War Two, Ginza Aster quickly regained it’s popularity after this recovery. In the early fifties they began selling products in the underground food vending floors of newly established Department stores, and their Shumai dumplings proved to be a big hit followed by their freshly made gyoza. In fact they could not make enough to keep up with demand. Popularity kept increasing through the fifties, into the sixties, capitalizing on several marketing campaigns based around their China Dress wearing Mascot character, Aster-chan (maybe one the first of the now everywhere mascots?), aimed at women and children. The brand continued to expand through the seventies and eights, benefitting of course by the economic bubble of this time, with the concept of introducing quality Chinese food and food culture to Japan. They achieved this by introducing a policy of sending Japanese chefs to China for a spell of training and education, then adapting the skills and techniques learnt on their return to produce authentic Chinese dishes, but enhanced and adjusted to suit Japanese plates.
I highly recommend Ginza Aster – They have 38 locations around the country. It’s a great place for a celebration or just when you want to treat yourself to a Chinese meal of a much higher standard than the usual, at a price the offers great value.